Ian Benjamin Penzel, PhD

Ian B. Penzel, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in the treatment of both short- and long-term behavioral health concerns related to chronic illness and medical settings. He earned his PhD from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro completed his internship at Geisinger Medical Center, and his Post-Doctoral fellowship training in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University.
Dr. Penzel’s clinical work is grounded in evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based interventions, and Trauma-Focused treatments. He has specialized training in bariatric medicine, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), chronic pain management, oncology, and consultation-liaison (C&L) psychology. His expertise lies in addressing the psychological challenges that often accompany serious medical conditions—such as depression, anxiety, and trauma—and …integrating behavioral health services within interdisciplinary care teams.
With experience collaborating closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, Dr. Penzel is deeply committed to bridging the gap between physical and mental health care. He previously served as Assistant Faculty at Mount Sinai, where he focused on delivering behavioral health services in primary care settings.
Dr. Penzel is excited to join Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry as Assistant Faculty. He looks forward to contributing to the university’s academic and clinical mission through teaching, supervision, and ongoing professional development. Passionate about equitable care, he remains dedicated to serving individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and supporting vulnerable populations across New York City.